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Original poster

Can you teach TOO close to home?

12 replies

fluffycloudx · 02/02/2025 16:03

Hi
looking at applying to different schools for a September start as I’m currently not happy where I am
a post has been advertised at the school ON my road. Currently it’s literally a few doors up from me. There is the potential we may move this year but only to five minutes around the corner (basically two roads away)
I like the idea of being closer and being able to walk in nice weather but is it TOO close to home having the school on the doorstep? Anyone got any experience with this please

OP posts:
MrsHamlet · 02/02/2025 16:32

My colleague lives opposite the main entrance of our school. She has no issues at all.

redsquirrel07 · 02/02/2025 16:41

I used to work at a school a 2 minute drive from my house. There were teachers there who lived on the same road as the school, and plenty in the surrounding area too.

Can't say I ever had any issues. Yes I often saw the kids out and about, but they're usually more awkward about that than you are 🤣 the incredibly short commute was a dream and it also meant I could pop home at lunch if I really wanted, as well as make medical appointments in lunchtimes if I really needed to.

So long as you don't mind seeing the kids out and about more often, I would say go for it.

HundredPercentUnsure · 02/02/2025 19:33

Primary, not a problem.

Secondary, no way.

shardlakem · 02/02/2025 20:26

Is there any difference from working on your road to working in the same town / next town? You will always bump into the kids and have awkward interactions 😅

ThrallsWife · 03/02/2025 04:45

Depends. I knew someone once who lived a few doors down from the secondary they worked in. Some kids took a dislike, cue harrassment in the form of knock-and-run and on occasion door egging.

MN2025 · 03/02/2025 12:28

fluffycloudx · 02/02/2025 16:03

Hi
looking at applying to different schools for a September start as I’m currently not happy where I am
a post has been advertised at the school ON my road. Currently it’s literally a few doors up from me. There is the potential we may move this year but only to five minutes around the corner (basically two roads away)
I like the idea of being closer and being able to walk in nice weather but is it TOO close to home having the school on the doorstep? Anyone got any experience with this please

When I first started teaching years ago, I lived the next road to my school at the time (secondary) - it was definitely convenient - I had no commute but I was always bumping into students.

I now live about 45 minutes away from my current school and I enjoy the daily drive.

In my current school, the site manager lives in a house on site. Couldn't ever be that close to work.

petproject · 07/02/2025 07:49

I live in the same town, have never had an issue and enjoy the tiny commute especially when it is parents evening etc.

peanutcookie · 09/02/2025 08:42

I live a few minutes walk away from the secondary i work in. I do see a lot of the kids out and about but it's not a problem. Some of them will ignore me, but if we make eye contact I just give a little wave and carry on

Candelabra75 · 16/02/2025 20:49

Pros - better work life balance as no time wasted on commute; really feel part of the local community (primary); can pop home to get something, make a cup of tea or a sandwich, check on your own kids, bring the washing in if it starts raining, change clothes.
Cons - no commute to unwind and switch off after a bad day, can't drink too much anywhere even in your own home, can't call in sick if you're not sick, really hard to go for secret job interviews. On one occasion I literally had to duck when a kid I taught suddenly popped up on my back garden wall and looked straight into my kitchen window.

phlebasconsidered · 17/02/2025 17:42

I live rurally in one of the villages that feeds our secondary. In fact, I enjoy it. The kids love seeing me in Aldi or walking the dogs. Never had any issues from the students outside of school. One of the nicest things is seeing ex students regularly. It's very nice to hear a "Hi Miss" and have a catch up. Plus, it's been VERY handy knowing local lads who went into trade!

The only thing I have had to put a boundary in place for is talking about school issues with parents outside of school, when we are at bbqs, village festivals etc. I keep professional boundaries very clear.

Clammyclam · 19/02/2025 21:04

I live locally to work and I agree with the positives others have shared
What I particularly like is when I see groups ( some might call them gangs but they aren't) of kids out and about in the area , there is no fear- no worry. They are happy to ignore me and I them but never are they intimidating as I think perhaps unknown groups of teens could be and that's because I know them.

I like that I see older kids who like to tell me how well they are doing- it's lovely.
We have a lots of staff living locally both from the primary and secondary school.
It works for me.

shiningcuckoo · 25/02/2025 04:22

I used to live next door to my school. My garden gate opened onto the school field. No issues, apart from occasionally dodging parents at weekends/ evenings bringing their kids to school for a play.

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